Ondo APC to suspend party chairman for beating commissioner

The Ondo State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress has declared that it would punish a ward chairman of the party in Akoko North-West Local Government Area of the state, Mr Olumide Awolumate, for allegedly beating the state Commissioner for Woman Affairs and Social Development, Mrs Juliana Osadahun.

The embattled chairman was seen in a video engaging in a free-for-all with the commissioner, allegedly inflicting injuries on the latter’s head during palliatives distribution in Arigidi Akoko, on Sunday.

Speaking with our correspondent on the incident, on Monday, the state chairman of the party, Mr Ade Adetimehin, expressed bitterness over the alleged attack on the commissioner and stated that the party would sit on the matter today (Monday).

He said, ” We don’t tolerate indiscipline in our party. The erring chairman would be suspended for being involved in such a public, embarrassing act.

“I have directed the party chairman in the local government to bring everybody to Akure today (Monday) and we will deliberate and appropriate sanction will be meted out where necessary. But, the ward chairman would be suspended.” 

Similarly, the Deputy Majority Leader of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Princess Oluwatosin Ajirotutu, has condemned the alleged assault on the commissioner. She called on the state police command to arrest and prosecute the APC chieftain.

The legislator said, “It is displeasing and barbaric to have viewed a video clip that surfaced and has caused pandemonium in the media space and Arigidi in Akoko Northwest of Ondo State following the directive of Ondo State Government on subsidy palliatives distribution across the state.

“The action of Mr. Awolumate Olumide on Hon. Adebunmi Osadahun is condemned and he should be arrested and made to face maximum disciplinary sanction by the Ondo State Commissioner of Police while the Attorney General of Ondo State should prosecute Mr. Olumide immediately.

“Assault on womenfolk should not be tolerated in any part of Ondo State and the country. Women deserve our caring in every situation because of their sensitive roles in society.”